1856-O 50C

1857 50C

1856-S 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Seated Half Dollars 1839-1891

PCGS MS64

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PCGS MS64

PCGS MS63

PCGS #:: 6289

Designer:: Thomas Sully/Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Reeded

Diameter:: 30.00 millimeters

Weight:: 12.40 grams

Mintage:: 211,000

Mint:: San Francisco

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $32,900 • MS64 • 04-21-2021 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (7)

Major Varieties

1856-S 50C

Die Varieties

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	450	R-6.1	15 / 66 TIE	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	6	R-9.7	8 / 66 TIE	11 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 66	1 / 126

Survival Estimate
All Grades	450
60 or Better	6
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-6.1
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	15 / 66 TIE
60 or Better	8 / 66 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 66

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	28 / 126 TIE
60 or Better	11 / 126 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 126

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1969, $14,300 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:145, not sold
1	MS64 PCGS grade	Jason Carter, sold privately in 3/2002 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98475, $12,925 (plate-matched) - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20064, not sold
3	MS63 PCGS grade
3	MS63 estimated grade
5	MS62 PCGS grade
5	MS62 estimated grade	Richmond Collection, Part III - David Lawrence 3/2005:1708 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7056, $10,925
5	MS62 estimated grade
8	MS60 PCGS grade	Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:121, $5,290
9	AU58 PCGS grade
9	AU58 PCGS grade

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1969, $14,300 - Legend Rare Coin Auctions 9/2015:145, not sold

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

Jason Carter, sold privately in 3/2002 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection, Part III - Heritage 5/2015:98475, $12,925 (plate-matched) - Stack's/Bowers 11/2015:20064, not sold

#3 MS63 PCGS grade

#3 MS63 estimated grade

#5 MS62 PCGS grade

#5 MS62 estimated grade

Richmond Collection, Part III - David Lawrence 3/2005:1708 - Dick Osburn Collection - Stack's/Bowers 8/2011:7056, $10,925

#5 MS62 estimated grade

#8 MS60 PCGS grade

Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:121, $5,290

#9 AU58 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1856-S Half Dollar is inherently scarce because of its low mintage, but it is even more rare because collectors saved precious few examples back in the year of issue. A quick look at the PCGS Population Report indicates just how few Mint State 1856-S Half Dollars have survived. Most grade in the low to middle range, with only one or two examples better than MS63. The strike quality on this date is generally strong. At least one of the PCGS MS64 examples shows some streaking of the planchet caused by improper mixing of the metal alloy, but this appears to be rare (since this was only the second year of production at the San Francisco Mint, perhaps some minor glitches can be forgiven).